The Bible provides guidance on dressing, underscoring the importance of dressing modestly, with dignity and respect for oneself and others. It advocates for attire that reflects the inner character rather than focusing solely on outward appearances.
What Does the Bible Say About Dressing?
The Bible highlights that dressing should be a reflection of one’s personality and faith. It teaches that clothing should not be used as a tool for vanity or to draw attention, but rather, it should express humility, modesty, and respect for oneself and others. Our choice of clothing should not lead others into temptation or cause distractions. Instead, the focus is encouraged to be on inner beauty and righteousness.
Why Does Dressing Matter?
In the context of the Bible, dressing serves as an outward manifestation of inward spiritual values. The way in which someone dresses is taken as an expression of their personal values, their commitment to their own dignity, and their respect for God’s creation. The wisdom here is that dressing well isn’t about impressing others or ornamental appearance, but rather a method of living according to God’s teachings. This underscores the relevance of making clothing choices based on principles of modesty, simplicity, and dignity rather than societal trends or fashions, keeping focus on God.
Who Should Care About Modesty in Dressing?
The Bible’s guidance on dressing extends to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or status in society. Modesty in dressing is viewed as a universal virtue that individuals should embody. The Bible teachings express that clothing should not be used to flaunt wealth, social status, or physical attributes, but should instead reflect modesty, humility, and respect for our bodies as God’s creation. This approach discourages detrimental social practices such as judging others by what they wear or attributing one’s worth based on outward appearance.
When Should One Consider Their Dressing Style?
The message from the Bible is clear that every moment matters when it comes to dressing. As humans, we represent the image of God, and the way we dress can be a testament of this image. As such, every occasion, whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, a day at work, a social gathering, or an act of worship, should be handled with the same level of regard for dressing modestly and appropriately. The Bible encourages individuals to stay consistent in this practice rather than changing dressing patterns according to social settings or personal moods.
Where Does the Concept of Dressing Modestly Come From?
The concept of dressing modestly stems from the biblical teachings. Scripture is abundant with references to modesty and respect, linking these principles directly with self-worth and spiritual integrity. The Bible implies the strong relationship between the physical and spiritual aspects of life, framing dressing as not simply a superficial, cosmetic matter but as part of our spiritual development. Dressing well, in a modest and respectful manner, is thus considered a reflection of the Bible’s teachings about personal dignity and responsibility towards God’s creation.
Below is our full list of bible verses on dressing (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Dressing
Deuteronomy 22:5
“5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
1 Timothy 2:9
“9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”
Leviticus 19:28
“28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Jewelry Youth Hair Modesty Cleanliness
Isaiah 3:16-26
“16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,21 The rings, and nose jewels,22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.”
Related Themes: Pride Jewelry Indulgence
1 Corinthians 10:31
“31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Related Themes: Pride Dating Food Health Technology
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
1 Corinthians 11:5
“5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
Related Themes: Hair
Romans 14:23
“23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
1 Timothy 2:9-10
“9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
1 Corinthians 3:17
“17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Related Themes: Holiness Health Church Physical Health Drugs
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
John 3:3
“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Dating New Life New Beginnings Telling The Truth Born Again
1 Corinthians 6:11
“11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Related Themes: Adultery Glorification Holy Spirit Abomination Justification
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Luke 12:27
“27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
Related Themes: Flowers Frustration Faith
Leviticus 20:13
“13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Related Themes: Criticism Impurity Lust Morality Reputation
Revelation 3:20
“20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Related Themes: Loneliness Fidelity Reputation Doors Hope
John 8:58
“58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
Romans 1:26-27
“26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Morality Morals Impurity
Daniel 3:27
“27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”
Related Themes: Hair
Ephesians 2:15
“15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”
Related Themes: New Life Reconciliation
2 Kings 9:30
“30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.”
Deuteronomy 22:11
“11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.”
Matthew 24:35
“35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Related Themes: Greatness Earth Expectations Tears False Accusations
1 Peter 3:3-4
“3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
Related Themes: Gold Humility Self-Esteem Jewelry Beauty
Romans 3:23
“23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Related Themes: Sin Trespassing Forgiveness Lust Holiness
1 Corinthians 6:13
“13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
Daniel 10:5-6
“5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
Related Themes: Gold
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
“1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Related Themes: Discernment Fortune
